CAR interviews AMG's ex-boss Volker Mornhinweg

Volker Mornhinweg has single-handedly transformed AMG, turning the in-house tuner into a fully fledged and independent supercar manufacturer. During his five-year watch he built up an outstanding team of engineers and designers, and his enthusiasm for fast and dynamic cars was as contagious as it was never-ending.

In April he will leave AMG and take on the new role of overseeing Mercedes’ van operations – a vital, but very different role. And he left on a high. This week he was in Mexico driving along the route of the hallowed Carrera Panamericana in the SLS – his spiritual successor to the 300SL Gullwing that won this epic road race in 1952. We caught up with him at the coastal town of Huatulco, for his last interview as boss of AMG.

Did you know when you went to AMG that you would have a fixed term there?

No, there was no time frame on my arrival – it was more how long I wanted to stay there. My previous role was developing management progression in the company, and with 15 years to go before retirement I knew when I started at AMG in 2005 that I would not retire there.

How do you feel about leaving?

We have a saying in Germany – one eye is laughing while the other is crying. I built up a fine team at AMG that developed and produced a great range of cars during my time there. It gave me a great insight into team-building and getting the best out of people. The company is running well and is very successful. I will be moving to a much bigger part of the company. The van business is worth £9bn a year and employs 15,000 people – that’s fifteen times the number of people I had at AMG.

Did you want to leave or were you asked to leave?

I was asked but I didn’t want to leave until the SLS was launched and on sale. That’s now done, so now is the perfect time to leave. But I will really miss the cars…

What was the personal highpoint of your time at AMG?

The huge step forward we took at AMG as a team. I took on new people, developed them into a great team that was as motivated and enthusiastic as I was, and we went on to build a great car. The SLS is the by-product of the people. Without the people, there is no car. It’s simple.

How much of AMG’s transformation was planned before you arrived and how much was down to you?

When I arrived we drew up a five-year plan that covered every single aspect of the company’s development. AMG became an independent company so I was responsible for its financial performance too – we had to pay for everything ourselves. I planned this strategy with my team.

And did your plan come to fruition?

The plan worked down to the last minute detail. It was an amazing time. But my team did it – I lead, they executed.

By Ben Whitworth